Dual String Research Articles

No line on the horizon: on uniform acceleration and gluonic fields at strong coupling

We study a few assorted questions about the behavior of strings on anti-de Sitter spacetime (AdS), or equivalently, `flux tubes' in strongly-coupled conformal field theories (CFTs). For the case where the `flux tube' is sourced by a uniformly accelerated quark (or, more generally, a quark that asymptotes to uniform acceleration in the remote past), we point out that the dual string embedding known heretofore terminates unphysically at the worldsheet horizon, and identify the correct continuation, which is found to encode a gluonic shock wave. For arbitrary quark motion, we show that, contrary to common understanding, the worldsheet horizon does not in general represent a dividing line between the portions of the string respectively dual to the quark and to the gluonic radiation emitted by it.

The Light-Dark Dual Universe for the Big Bang and Dark Energy

In the proposed light-dark dual universe, the light universe is the observable universe with light and kinetic energy that fueled the Big Bang, and the dark universe without light and kinetic energy has been observed as dark energy since about 9 billion years after the Big Bang. The light-dark dual universe started from the zero-energy universe through the four-stage cyclic transformation. Emerging from the zero-energy universe, the four-stage transformation consists of the 11D (dimensional) positive-negative energy dual membrane universe, the 10D positive-negative energy dual string universe, the 10D positive-negative energy dual particle universe, and the 4D (light)-variable D (dark) positive-negative energy dual particle asymmetrical universe. The transformation can then be reversed back to the zero-energy universe through the reverse four-stage transformation. The light universe is an observable four-dimensional universe started with the inflation and the Big Bang, and the dark universe is a variable dimensional universe from 10D to 4D. The dark universe could be observed as dark energy only when the dark universe turned into a four-dimensional universe. The four-stage transformation explains the four force fields in our universe. The theoretical calculated percentages of dark energy, dark matter, and baryonic matter are 72.8. 22.7, and 4.53, respectively, in nearly complete agreement with observed 72.8, 22.7, and 4.56, respectively. According to the calculation, dark energy started in 4.47 billion years ago in agreement with the observed 4.71 ± 0.98 billion years ago. The zero-energy cyclic universe is based on the space-object structures.

Exact results in gauge–string dualities (Stockholm, Sweden, 23 January–17 February 2012)

Exact results in gauge–string dualities (Stockholm, Sweden, 23 January–17 February 2012)

Eisenstein series for infinite-dimensional U-duality groups

Abstract We consider Eisenstein series appearing as coefficients of curvature corrections in the low-energy expansion of type II string theory four-graviton scattering amplitudes. We define these Eisenstein series over all groups in the E n series of string duality groups, and in particular for the infinite-dimensional Kac-Moody groups E 9, E 10 and E 11. We show that, remarkably, the so-called constant term of Kac-Moody-Eisenstein series contains only a finite number of terms for particular choices of a parameter appearing in the definition of the series. This resonates with the idea that the constant term of the Eisenstein series encodes perturbative string corrections in BPS-protected sectors allowing only a finite number of corrections. We underpin our findings with an extensive discussion of physical degeneration limits in D < 3 space-time dimensions.

Open Topological Strings and Integrable Hierarchies: Remodeling the A-Model

We set up, purely in A-model terms, a novel formalism for the global solution of the open and closed topological A-model on toric Calabi-Yau threefolds. The starting point is to build on recent progress in the mathematical theory of open Gromov-Witten invariants of orbifolds; we interpret the localization formulae as relating D-brane amplitudes to closed string amplitudes perturbed with twisted masses through an analogue of the "loop insertion operator" of matrix models. We first generalize this form of open/closed string duality to general toric backgrounds in all chambers of the stringy Kaehler moduli space; secondly, we display a neat connection of the (gauged) closed string side to tau functions of 1+1 Hamiltonian integrable hierarchies, and exploit it to provide an effective computation of open string amplitudes. In doing so, we also provide a systematic treatment of the change of flat open moduli induced by a phase transition in the closed moduli space. We test our proposal in detail by providing an extensive number of checks. We also use our formalism to give a localization-based derivation of the Hori-Vafa spectral curves as coming from a resummation of A-model disc instantons.

Lüscher formula for GKP string

We investigate finite-size corrections to anomalous dimensions of large-spin twist-two operators in the planar maximally supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory. We develop a framework for analysis of these corrections, that is complementary to the conventional spin-chain approach, by making use of the hole rather than the magnon picture. From the dual string theory perspective where the large-spin operator is identified with the Gubser–Klebanov–Polyakov (GKP) string, our approach is equivalent to constructing the first Lüscher correction to the energy of the GKP string by incorporating the contribution of virtual excitations propagating on it. It allows us to propose a formula that controls a particular class of large-spin corrections to the twist-two anomalous dimension and holds at any value of the coupling constant. Compared to wrapping corrections computed with magnons propagating on the spin chain, the finite-size corrections that are encoded in our formalism start at a lower-loop level. Our formalism thus calls for modification of the asymptotic contributions which are conventionally incorporated within the Asymptotic Bethe Ansatz. An educated guess allows us to remedy this pitfall and successfully confront our predictions with known results up to five-loop accuracy at weak coupling. Finally, our formula sheds light on the weak-to-strong coupling transition for the subleading large-spin corrections under study and confirms stringy expectations at strong coupling where they are found to be identical to the first Lüscher correction to the vacuum energy of the O(6) sigma model.

Moduli stabilisation in early superstring cosmology

We study the cosmological evolution induced by the free energy of a string gas at finite temperature. We first consider the maximally supersymmetric heterotic string in the weak coupling regime in dimension D ≥ 4. The free energy develops local minima associated to some gauge symmetry enhancement induced by perturbative states. This can stabilize all heterotic moduli except the dilaton. By string-string S-dualities, it follows that the dual type I moduli can be stabilized by either non perturbative D-string states or perturbative open string states. We next consider the type II string compactified on Calabi-Yau three-folds, which has \U0001d4a9 = 2 supersymmetry in D = 4. The moduli space has singular loci where the Calabi-Yau space undergoes extremal transitions, accompanied with either conifold transitions or certain gauge symmetry enhancement. Also the free energy reaches local minima due to the emergence of extra non perturbative massless modes. Consequently, the type II moduli are attracted to these singular loci. Using the type II/heterotic string duality, we can stabilize the dual heterotic moduli, and in particular it is possible to stabilize the heterotic dilaton.

Toric K3-fibred Calabi-Yau manifolds with del Pezzo divisors for string compactifications

AbstractWe analyse several explicit toric examples of compact K3-fibred Calabi-Yau three-folds. These manifolds can be used for the study of string dualities and are crucial ingredients for the construction of LARGE Volume type IIB vacua with promising applications to cosmology and particle phenomenology. In order to build a phenomenologically viable model, on top of the two moduli corresponding to the base and the K3 fibre, we demand also the existence of two additional rigid divisors: the first supporting the non-perturbative effects needed to achieve moduli stabilisation, and the second allowing the presence of chiral matter on wrapped D-branes. We clarify the topology of these rigid divisors by discussing the interplay between a diagonal structure of the Calabi-Yau volume and D-terms. Del Pezzo divisors appearing in the volume form in a completely diagonal way are natural candidates for supporting non-perturbative effects and for quiver constructions, while ‘non-diagonal’ del Pezzo and rigid but not del Pezzo divisors are particularly interesting for model building in the geometric regime. Searching through the existing list of four dimensional reflexive lattice polytopes, we find 158 examples admitting a Calabi-Yau hypersurface with a K3 fibration and four Kähler moduli where at least one of the toric divisors is a ‘diagonal’ del Pezzo. We work out explicitly the topological details of a few examples showing how, in the case of simplicial polytopes, all the del Pezzo divisors are ‘diagonal’, while ‘non-diagonal’ ones appear only in the case of non-simplicial polytopes. A companion paper will use these results in the study of moduli stabilisation for globally consistent explicit Calabi-Yau compactifications with the local presence of chirality.

The geometry of D-brane superpotentials

The disk partition function of the open topological string computes the spacetime superpotential for D-branes wrapping cycles of a compact Calabi-Yau threefold. We use string duality to show that when appropriately formulated, the problem admits a natural geometrization in terms of a non-compact Calabi-Yau fourfold without D-branes. The duality relates the D-brane superpotential to a flux superpotential on the fourfold. This sheds light on several features of superpotential computations appearing in the literature, in particular on the observation that Calabi-Yau fourfold geometry enters the problem. In one of our examples, we show that the geometry of fourfolds also reproduces the D-brane superpotentials obtained from matrix factorization methods.

Heavy quarks in the presence of higher derivative corrections from AdS/CFT

We use the gauge–string duality to study heavy quarks in the presence of higher derivative corrections. These corrections correspond to the finite-coupling corrections on the properties of heavy quarks in a hot plasma. In particular, we study the effects of these corrections on the energy loss and the dissociation length of a quark–antiquark pair. We show that the calculated energy loss of heavy quarks through the plasma increases. We also find in general that the dissociation length becomes shorter with the increase of coupling parameters of higher curvature terms.

Evidence for duality of conifold from fundamental string

We study the spectrum of BPS D5-D3-F1 states in type IIB theory, which are proposed to be dual to D4-D2-D0 states on the resolved conifold in type IIA theory. We evaluate the BPS partition functions for all values of the moduli parameter in the type IIB side, and find them completely agree with the results in the type IIA side which was obtained by using Kontsevich-Soibelman’s wall-crossing formula. Our result is a quite strong evidence for string dualities on the conifold.

Non-perturbative topological strings and conformal blocks

We give a non-perturbative completion of a class of closed topological string theories in terms of building blocks of dual open strings. In the specific case where the open string is given by a matrix model these blocks correspond to a choice of integration contour. We then apply this definition to the AGT setup where the dual matrix model has logarithmic potential and is conjecturally equivalent to Liouville conformal field theory. By studying the natural contours of these matrix integrals and their monodromy properties, we propose a precise map between topological string blocks and Liouville conformal blocks. Remarkably, this description makes use of the light-cone diagrams of closed string field theory, where the critical points of the matrix potential correspond to string interaction points.

Landscape study of target space duality of (0, 2) heterotic string models

In the framework of (0,2) gauged linear sigma models, we systematically generate sets of perturbatively dual heterotic string compactifications. This target space duality is first derived in non-geometric phases and then translated to the level of GLSMs and its geometric phases. In a landscape analysis, we compare the massless chiral spectra and the dimensions of the moduli spaces. Our study includes geometries given by complete intersections of hypersurfaces in toric varieties equipped with SU(n) vector bundles defined via the monad construction.

Wilson loops in N = 2 super-Yang-Mills from matrix model

We compute the expectation value of the circular Wilson loop in $ \mathcal{N} = 2 $ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with N f = 2N hypermultiplets. Our results indicate that the string tension in the dual string theory scales as the logarithm of the ’t Hooft coupling.

Holomorphic couplings in non‐perturbative string compactifications

AbstractIn this review article we present an analysis of several aspects of four‐dimensional, non‐perturbative 𝒩 = 1 compactifications of string theory. Our study focuses on brane dynamics and their effective physics as encoded in the holomorphic couplings of the low‐energy 𝒩 = 1 effective action, most prominently the superpotential W. This article is divided into three parts. In part one we derive the effective action of a spacetime‐filling D5‐brane in generic Type IIB Calabi‐Yau orientifold compactifications. In the second part we invoke tools from string dualities, namely from F‐theory, heterotic/F‐theory duality and mirror symmetry, for a more elaborate study of the dynamics of (p,q) 7‐branes and heterotic five‐branes. In this context we perform exact computations of the complete perturbative effective superpotential, both due to branes and background fluxes. Finally, in the third part we present a novel geometric description of five‐branes in Type IIB and heterotic M‐theory Calabi‐Yau compactifications via a non‐Calabi‐Yau threefold $\hat {Z}_3$, that is canonically constructed from the original five‐brane and the Calabi‐Yau threefold Z3 via a blow‐up. We use the blow‐up threefold $\hat {Z}_3$ to derive open‐closed Picard‐Fuchs differential equations, that govern the complete effective brane and flux superpotential. In addition, we present first evidence to interpret $\hat {Z}_3$ as a flux compactification geometrically dual to the original five‐brane by defining an SU(3)‐structure on $\hat {Z}_3$, that is generated dynamically by the five‐brane backreaction.

State Operator Correspondence and Entanglement in AdS2/CFT1

Since Euclidean global AdS2 space represented as a strip has two boundaries, the state-operator correspondence in the dual CFT1 reduces to the standard map from the operators acting on a single copy of the Hilbert space to states in the tensor product of two copies of the Hilbert space. Using this picture we argue that the corresponding states in the dual string theory living on AdS2 × K are described by the twisted version of the Hartle–Hawking states, the twists being generated by a large unitary group of symmetries that this string theory must possess. This formalism makes natural the dual interpretation of the black hole entropy—as the logarithm of the degeneracy of ground states of the quantum mechanics describing the low energy dynamics of the black hole, and also as an entanglement entropy between the two copies of the same quantum theory living on the two boundaries of global AdS2 separated by the event horizon.

Large spin behavior of anomalous dimensions and short–long strings duality

We consider the semi-classical string soliton solution of Gubser, Klebanov and Polyakov which represents highly excited states on the leading Regge trajectory, with large spin in AdS5. A prescription relates this soliton solution with the corresponding field theory operators with many covariant derivatives, whose anomalous scaling dimension grows logarithmically with the spacetime spin. We explicitly derive the coefficients in the large spin expansion of the anomalous dimension in the leading ln nS/Sn and next-to-leading ln nS/Sn + 1 orders. We develop an iteration procedure which, in principle, allows us to derive all terms in the large spin expansion of the anomalous scaling dimension of twist two operators. Our string theory results are consistent with the conjectured ‘reciprocity’ relation, which has been verified to hold in perturbation theory up to five loops in N = 4 SYM. We also derive a duality relation between long and short strings.

Holographic superfluid/fluid/insulator phase transitions in2+1dimensions

We study the breaking of an Abelian symmetry close to the horizon of a black string as well as close to the tip of a solitonic, cigar-shaped solution in (3+1)-dimensional Anti-de Sitter space-time. We use these solutions to describe holographic superfluids away from the probe limit, i.e. taking backreaction into account. We observe that up to four phases exist in this model representing the duals of black string solutions with and without scalar hair and solitonic, cigar-shaped solutions with and without scalar hair, respectively. We construct the full phase diagram that describes the phase transitions between fluids and superfluids, between insulators and superfluids as well as between insulators and fluids. In the probe limit the phase transition from fluids to black string superfluids changes from being second order to first order for sufficiently large values of the superfluid velocity and/or the angular momentum of the dual black string. We find that if we take backreaction into account phase transitions that are first order for weak backreaction become again second order for sufficiently strong backreaction. Moreover, we find a new type of insulator/superfluid phase transition for strong backreaction and vanishing superfluid velocity as well as a new type of fluid/superfluid phase transition that exists only for non-vanishing superfluid velocity.

Non-Abelian duality and confinement: FromN=2toN=1supersymmetric QCD

Recently we discovered and discussed non-Abelian duality in the quark vacua of N=2 super-Yang-Mills theory with the U(N) gauge group and N_f flavors (N_f>N). Both theories from the dual pair support non-Abelian strings which confine monopoles. Now we introduce an N=2-breaking deformation, a mass term \mu{\mathcal A}^2 for the adjoint fields. Starting from a small deformation we eventually make it large which enforces complete decoupling of the adjoint fields. We show that the above non-Abelian duality fully survives in the limit of N=1 SQCD, albeit some technicalities change. For instance, non-Abelian strings which used to be BPS-saturated in the N=2 limit, cease to be saturated in N=1 SQCD. Our duality is a distant relative of Seiberg's duality in N=1 SQCD. Both share some common features but have drastic distinctions. This is due to the fact that Seiberg's duality apply to the monopole rather than quark vacua. More specifically, in our theory we deal with N< N_f<3/2 N massive quark flavors. We consider the vacuum in which N squarks condense. Then we identify a crossover transition from weak to strong coupling. At strong coupling we find a dual theory, U(N_f-N) SQCD, with N_f light dyon flavors. Dyons condense triggering the formation of non-Abelian strings which confine monopoles. Screened quarks and gauge bosons of the original theory decay into confined monopole-antimonopole pairs and form stringy mesons.

Mini-Workshop: Higher Dimensional Elliptic Fibrations

Elliptic fibrations play a central role in the geometry of complex surfaces, and there is a comprehensive array of theory and examples. They arise also as a tool in many applications, such as the construction of rational points in arithmetic, metrics in differential geometry and certain string dualities in physics. In higher dimensional geometry, the foundational results of the past 30 years have not yet developed into a practical collection of everyday tools, as they have in the surface case. Nevertheless, the applications already work in higher dimensions – a glance at the literature shows the extent to which practical calculations in physics alone now far outpace the existing theory. This workshop brings together geometers, physicists and others to compare applications of elliptic fibrations and the state of the general theory.